Thyroid function in obese Korean children and adolescents: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015

Purpose In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on thyroid function in pediatric obese patients, but no nationwide study evaluating the relationship between thyroid function and obesity has yet been conducted in Korea. We aimed to evaluate thyroid dysfunction in obese Korean children. Methods We analyzed the associations between obesity and thyroid hormone levels among 975 Korean boys and girls aged 10–18 years and who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (2013–2015). Results Average serum thyrotropin (TSH) and serum free thyroxine (fT4) levels in the nonobese group were 2.7±0.1 μIU/mL and 1.3±0.0 ng/dL, respectively, and those in the overweight group were 3.1±0.2 μIU/mL and 1.2±0.0 ng/dL. Serum TSH level was significantly higher in the abdominal obesity group than in the normal group (P=0.023). fT4 level was significantly lower in both the overweight and abdominal obesity groups than in the normal group (P<0.001, P=0.014). Serum TSH level was associated positively with abdominal obesity and levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride. Serum fT4 level was negatively correlated with abdominal obesity (P=0.014). Conclusions Korean children with abdominal obesity showed increased TSH and decreased fT4 levels compared to normal children

The effect of low-dose intravenous bisphosphonate treatment on osteoporosis in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy

PurposeQuadriplegic children with cerebral palsy are more susceptible to osteoporosis because of various risk factors that interfere with bone metabolism. Pamidronate is effective for pediatric osteoporosis, but there are no guidelines for optimal dosage or duration of treatment in quadriplegic children with osteoporosis. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose pamidronate treatment in these patients.MethodsTen quadriplegic patients on antiepileptic drugs (6 male, 4 female patients; mean age, 10.9±5.76 years), with osteoporosis and gross motor function classification system level V, were treated with pamidronate (0.5–1.0 mg/kg/day, 2 consecutive days) every 3–4 months in a single institution. The patients received oral supplements of calcium and vitamin D before and during treatment. The lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) z score and biochemical markers of bone metabolism were measured regularly during treatment.ResultsThe main underlying disorder was perinatal hypoxic brain damage (40%, 4 of 10). The mean cumulative dose of pamidronate was 4.49±2.22 mg/kg/yr, and the mean treatment period was 10.8±3.32 months. The BMD z score of the lumbar spine showed a significant increase from −4.22±1.24 before treatment to −2.61±1.69 during treatment (P=0.008). Alkaline phosphatase decreased during treatmentn (P=0.037). Significant adverse drug reactions and new fractures were not reported.ConclusionLow-dose pamidronate treatment for quadriplegic children with cerebral palsy increased lumbar BMD and reduced the incidence of fracture

A Xiphoid Elongation Following a Trauma Laparotomy: A Case Report

Xiphoid elongation is a rare phenomenon where the xiphoid process elongates after stimuli such as surgery, physical therapy, or trauma. We report on a 47-year-old male involved in a traffic accident who went into cardiac arrest. He received ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation for nine minutes before recovery of cardiac rhythm, and transfer from a local hospital to the trauma center. He received management for hypotensive shock which was temporarily corrected using Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta, and underwent trauma laparotomy in which ileocolic artery ligation and a splenectomy were performed. Six months later, the patient reported epigastric discomfort when he bent over. A hard, linear mass was palpated along the upper midline incision scar and a computed tomography scan showed an elongated xiphoid process (10 cm). The patient underwent surgical excision, and electrocauterization of the xiphoid process. This is a rare case of xiphoid elongation following multiple stimuli to the xiphoid process

Radish microgreens produced without substrate in a vertical multi-layered growing unit are rich in nutritional metabolites

Growing microgreens on trays without substrate in a vertical multilayered growing unit offers several advantages over traditional agriculture methods. This study investigated the yield performance and nutritional quality of five selections of radish microgreens grown in sprouting trays, without a substrate using only water, in an indoor multilayer cultivation system using artificial light. Various parameters were measured, including fresh weight, dry matter, chlorophyll, minerals, amino acids, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, vitamin C, glucosinolates, and antioxidant activity with four different in vitro assays. After ten days, the biomass had increased by 6-10 times, and the dry matter varied from 4.75-7.65%. The highest yield was obtained from ‘Asia red’, while the lowest was from ‘Koregon red’. However, ‘Koregon red’ and ‘Asia red’ had the highest dry matter. ‘Asia red’ was found to have the highest levels of both Chls and vitamin C compared to the other cultivars, while ‘Koregon red’ exhibited the highest levels of total phenolics and flavonoids. Although variations in the levels of individual glucosinolates were observed, there were no significant differences in the total content of glucosinolates among the five cultivars. ‘Asia purple’ had the highest anthocyanin content, while ‘Asia green 2’ had the lowest. The K, Mg, and Na concentrations were significantly highest in ‘Asia green 2’, and the highest Ca was recorded in ‘Asia purple’. Overall, ‘Asia purple’ and ‘Koregon red’ were the best cultivars in terms of nutritional quality among the tested radish microgreens. These cultivars exhibited high levels of dry weight, total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, essential and total amino acids, and antioxidant activities. Moreover, the implementation of this vertical cultivation method for microgreens, which relies solely on water and seeds known for their tall shoots during the sprouting could hold promise as a sustainable approach. This method can effectively be utilized for cultivar screening and fulfilling the nutritional and functional needs of the population while minimizing the environmental impacts associated with traditional agriculture practices

MMP-Inhibitory Effects of Flavonoid Glycosides from Edible Medicinal Halophyte Limonium tetragonum

Limonium tetragonum has been well-known for its antioxidative properties as a halophyte. This study investigated the antimetastasis effect of solvent-partitioned L. tetragonum extracts (LTEs) and isolated compounds on HT1080 mouse melanoma cell model with a focus on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and TIMP and MAPK pathways. Upregulation and stimulation of MMPs result in elevated degradation of extracellular matrix which is part of several complications such as metastasis, cirrhosis, and arthritis. The anti-MMP capacity of LTEs was confirmed by their MMP-inhibitory effects, regulation of MMP and TIMP expression, and suppression of MAPK pathway. Among all tested LTEs, 85% aq. MeOH and n-BuOH were found to be most active fractions which later yielded two known flavonoid glycosides, myricetin 3-galactoside and quercetin 3-o-beta-galactopyranoside. Anti-MMP potential of the compounds was confirmed by their ability to regulate MMP expression through inhibited MAPK pathway activation. These results suggested that L. tetragonum might serve as a potential source of bioactive substances with effective anti-MMP properties

Beneficial Effect of Efonidipine, an L- and T-Type Dual Calcium Channel Blocker, on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Essential Hypertension

Background and Objectives: Efonidipine hydrochloride, an L- and T-type dual calcium channel blocker, is suggested to have a heart rate (HR)-slowing action in addition to a blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of efonidipine on HR and BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Subjects and Methods: In a multi-center, prospective, open-labeled, single-armed study, we enrolled 53 patients who had mild-to-moderate hypertension {sitting diastolic BP (SiDBP) 90-110 mmHg}. After a 2-week washout, eligible patients were treated with efonidipine (40 mg once daily for 12 weeks). The primary end point was the change in HR from baseline to week 12. The secondary end-point included the change in trough sitting BP and 24-hour mean BP between baseline and week 12. Laboratory and clinical adverse events were monitored at each study visit (4, 8, and 12 weeks). Results: Fifty-two patients were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. After 12 weeks of treatment with efonidipine, the resting HR decreased significantly from baseline to week 12 (from 81.5??5.3 to 71.8??9.9 beats/minute (difference, -9.9??9.0 beats/minute), p<0.0001}. The trough BP {sitting systolic blood pressure (SiSBP) and SiDBP} and 24-hour mean BP also decreased significantly (SiSBP: from 144.6??8.2 to 132.9??13.5 mmHg, p<0.0001; SiDBP: from 96.9??5.4 to 88.3??8.6 mmHg, p<0.0001, 24-hour mean systolic BP: from 140.4??13.5 to 133.8??11.6 mmHg, p<0.0001; 24-hour mean diastolic BP: from 91.7??8.7 to 87.5??9.5 mmHg, p<0.0001). Conclusion: Efonidipine was effective in controlling both HR and BP in patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension. Copyright ?? 2010 The Korean Society of Cardiology